Dear Friends,
I am excited to share that I am once again on the committee of the 10th Annual Foster5K + Kids Dash. I can't believe it's been 10 years since I founded this event with my friends in the Montclaire neighborhood.
The Foster5K is on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Martial Cottle Park in San Jose. It’s about 25 min drive and in a beautiful 287 acre park that you would never know is there! It’s unique in that it features agricultural partnerships on a historic ranch.
I will be the emcee for the event this year, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see you out there! You can sign up for the Crouse Crew team here (choose Crouse Crew...I will arrange a meetup). Some run, some walk but we all show up for these kids who don’t have amazing parents like most of you on this list.
In addition, I want to share that in honor of the Foster5K’s 10th year and our kids, Chris and I have set a fundraising goal of $1000. In fact, we will personally match every dollar donated up $1000, making it a $2000 donation in total. In addition, a generous family who runs every year has offered to match up to $10,000 in individual donations to the Foster5K and Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. That means we can triple your donations this year.
Our joint generosity typically enables Child Advocates to serve over 350 children in foster care each year through their CASA program. I know from experience that every one of these children has experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment that shows up in one way or another. In these trying times of federal funding cuts and rising numbers of children in foster care, our donations are more important than ever.
Please join me at the Foster5K on May 17 and/or consider a donation with us. It takes a village and we are the village. www.foster5k.org - Crouse Crew!
With gratitude,
Debbie
p.s. What is the CASA? A CASA is a “Court Appointed Special Advocate.” Child Advocates’ goal is to ensure every child in the Santa Clara County Dependency Court System (foster care) has a caring, stable adult in their life to mitigate the effects of having experienced abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.
